Putting alignment tool

ABSTRACT

A putting alignment tool. The putting alignment tool includes a rod and a plurality of balls secured to the rod. The rod includes a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a central portion in between the first and second ends. The plurality of balls includes at least a first set of balls and a second set of balls. A first gap is formed in between the first set of balls and the second send of balls. The first gap includes a length that is equal to a diameter of a golf putting hole.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application No. 62/459,224, filed Feb. 15, 2017, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to putting and, more particularly, to a putting alignment tool used while practicing golf.

A putt is a shot designed to roll the ball along the ground. It is normally made on the putting green using a putter, though other clubs may be used to achieve the same effect in different situations. The putt is used for putting the ball in the hole or closer to the hole (as in lagging) from the green or the fringe of the green. The golfer adjusts his/her putt to fit the circumstances of the play such as distance to the hole and slope of the green. The face of the club starts square to the target line. The club goes straight back and straight through along the same path like a pendulum. The slope of the green effects an amount the ball breaks after the ball has been struck. Currently, it is difficult to gauge an amount of break prior to putting, which may cause an errant shot.

As can be seen, there is a need for a putting alignment tool that allows users to gauge an amount of break prior to striking the ball.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a putting alignment tool comprises: a rod comprising a first end, a second end opposite the first end and a central portion in between the first and second ends; a plurality of balls comprising a first set of balls secured to the rod and a second set of balls secured to the rod, wherein a first gap is formed between the first set of balls and the second set of balls, the first gap comprising a length equal to a diameter of a golf putting hole.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a detail perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a front view of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a detail front view of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a section view of the present invention taken along line 5-5 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention, illustrating placement of the present invention on a green of a golf course; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an additional tool.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

The present invention includes a putter guide. The present invention aids golfers in choosing the correct line and judging the break effectively in order to help golfers putt more accurately and lower their golf scores. The present invention establishes parameters of hole width which gives the golfer an accurate system for putting more effectively and confidently. The present invention provides the golfer with a visual mental imprint that helps the golfer to choose a target, visualize the correct line, adjust to putting speeds of greens and putt more accurately in order to lower their golf scores.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 7, the present invention includes a putting alignment tool 10. The putting alignment tool 10 includes a rod 12 and a plurality of balls 16 secured to the rod 12. The rod 12 includes a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a central portion in between the first and second ends. The plurality of balls 16 includes at least a first set of balls 16 and a second set of balls 16. A first gap is formed in between the first set of balls 16 and the second send of balls 16. The first gap includes a length (i.e. a distance between the first and second set of balls 16) that is equal to a diameter of a golf putting hole 22.

The rod 12 of the present invention may be an elongated rod 12 that may measure between about 14 inches up to about 56 inches, such as about 28 inches. The rod 12 may be made of plastics, metal, wood and the like. The rod 12 may include a cylindrical shape, an elongated cuboid shape and the like. The plurality of balls 16 may each be golf balls 16. Golf balls 16 are specially designed balls used for golf, with a mass no more than 1.620 oz. and a diameter no less than 1.680 in. Golf balls are spheres and typically include a plurality of dimples formed on the outer surface.

As mentioned above, the first gap includes a length equal to a diameter of a golf putting hole 22. The diameter of a golf putting hole 22 may be about 4 and ¼^(th) inches. The first gap may be at the central portion of the rod 12. When practicing putting or playing on a course, the user may align the first gap with the golf putting hole 22. In certain embodiments, the present invention may include a plurality of evenly spaced markers 14 printed on the central portion of the rod 12. For example, five markers may be printed on the central portion of the rod. A first and last marker 14 may be printed adjacent to an end ball 16 of the first and second set of balls 16. The markers 14 may be evenly spaced at about 1 and 1/16^(th) inch distance away from one another. Using the present invention, a golfer may gauge an amount of break of the putt and then aim for one of the markers 14.

The plurality of balls 16 may further include a first ball 16 secured to the first end of the rod 12 and a second ball 16 secured to the second end of the rod 12. A second gap is formed between the first ball 16 and the first set of balls 16 and a third gap is formed between the second ball 16 and the second set of balls 16. The second gap and the third gap each include a length equal to a radius of the golf putting hole 22. For example, the length of the second and third gap may each be about 2 and ⅛^(th) inches. The second and third gap provides a smaller target for further precision. In certain embodiments, the present invention may include a plurality of evenly spaced markers 14 printed on the rod 12 within the second and third gaps. The markers 14 may be evenly spaced at about 1 and 1/16^(th) inches distance away from one another. In such embodiments, each of the gaps may include three markers 14.

In certain embodiments, each of the plurality of balls 16 mentioned above may include a plurality of evenly spaced vertical markers 18 printed on an outer surface. In certain embodiments, the plurality of evenly spaced vertical markers 18 may include three evenly spaced vertical markers 18. A central vertical marker 18 may run along a diameter of the ball 16. In certain embodiments, each of the plurality of balls 16 may include a horizontal marker 18 printed on an outer surface. The horizontal marker 18 may be centrally disposed and run along a diameter of the ball. A golfer may use the markers 18 as aim points based on the user's assessment of the degree the ball is going to break.

In certain embodiments, the present invention may include twelve balls 16 disposed on the rod 12. In such embodiments, each set of balls 16 may include five balls 16. The rod 12 may be painted white with demarcation lines painted within the gaps between the balls 16. The markers 18 on the balls 16 may include lines drawn, painted or printed on the outer surface.

The present invention may further include the alignment tool 24. The alignment tool 24 may include a short leg 26 and a long leg 28 adjoined together and at about a 90 degree angle relative to one another. The short leg 26 may be about 16 inches long and may be about 1 and ½ inches in width. The long leg 28 may be about 24 inches long and may be about 2 inches in width. A length adjustment slide 30 with fastening screw 32 may be disposed on the short leg 26.

The purpose of this device is to: 1. Allow the golfer to select proper ball position at address; 2. Establish a base from which to putt from; and 3. Provide a mental imprint of the putting base right angle, putter path, line of putt and assists in aiming the putter at the putter guide.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A putting alignment tool comprising: a rod comprising a first end, a second end opposite the first end and a central portion in between the first and second ends; a plurality of balls comprising a first set of balls secured to the rod and a second set of balls secured to the rod, wherein a first gap is formed between the first set of balls and the second set of balls, the first gap comprising a length equal to a diameter of a golf putting hole.
 2. The putting alignment tool of claim 1, wherein the rod is disposed along a central common axis of the plurality of balls.
 3. The putting alignment tool of claim 1, wherein the plurality of balls are a plurality of golf balls.
 4. The putting alignment tool of claim 1, wherein the first gap is at the central portion of the rod.
 5. The putting alignment tool of claim 4, further comprising a plurality of evenly spaced markers printed on the central portion of the rod.
 6. The putting alignment tool of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of evenly spaced vertical markers printed on each of the plurality of balls.
 7. The putting alignment tool of claim 6, further comprising a horizontal marker printed on each of the plurality of balls.
 8. The putting alignment tool of claim 1, wherein the plurality of balls further comprise a first ball secured to the first end and a second ball secured to the second end, wherein a second gap is formed between the first ball and the first set of balls and a third gap is formed between the second ball and the second set of balls.
 9. The putting alignment tool of claim 7, wherein the second gap and the third gap each comprise a length equal to a radius of the golf putting hole.
 10. The putting alignment tool of claim 8, further comprising a plurality of evenly spaced vertical markers printed on each of the plurality of balls and a horizontal marker printed on each of the plurality of balls. 